Neighbours have complained that the family estate of Richard Benyon, the
environment minister, is being transformed into a "bomb site"
after plans were approved to remove 218 acres of woodland to extract two
million tons of sand and gravel.

Hanson Aggregates has gained planning permission to extend an existing quarry onto the site in Hampshire, extracting 200,000 tonnes of sand and gravel a year, which it will process at Mortimer Quarry, near Basingstoke.

Mr Benyon, the great-great-grandson of Lord Salisbury who lives on the Englefield Estate with his family, is responsible for maintaining ecosystems and land management as the minister for the natural environment, water and rural affairs.

But the development on his estate has angered residents, who complain that the area is a site of importance for nature conservation, supporting some natural woodland, lowland dry acid grassland, heath and wet woodland.

Mark Nielson, 47, who moved to Hampshire seven months ago, told The Sunday Times: "The woods are being transformed. The conifer forest was quite spectacular with the river running down the back – aesthetically I haven't seen anything like it.

"It was magnificent but they have deforested half of a three-mile radius. You've lost the trees, walkways and routes through the forests and you've gained a quagmire. It looks like a bomb site."

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Clive Rumble, a resident who lives near the existing quarry, added: "I think it's a total eyesore and people have been complaining about the noise and heavy traffic."

But Edward Crookes, the estates director, said that paths would be "fully restored" after the work ended. The planning application shows restoration will continue during the work, with mixed forest and public access restored as soon as excavation is complete in each of the eight phases.

He said the estate "voluntarily provides public access to more than 1,500 acres of woodland in this area".

David Weeks of Hanson Aggregates said: "We would not have secured planning permission for the extension without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and a detailed working and restoration plan. We will be working in phases with progressive restoration to minimise the environmental impact.

"All diverted paths will be fully reinstated. In addition, and as a result of three-way discussions between Hanson, the Englefield Estate and Hampshire County Council’s Rights of Way officer, the estate has agreed to provide an additional 300 metres of dedicated rights of way on completion of restoration. Approximately 175m of public footpath will also be upgraded to bridleway.

"The restored site will be more biodiverse and have greater public access and will have released essential supplies of sand and gravel for local construction projects which will benefit many."

Mr Benyon told The Sunday Times he was unable to comment because the estate was controlled by a family trust so as not to conflict with his ministerial duties. He did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday.

The application has been approved by Hampshire County Council, subject to reaching a legal agreement on nature conservation management.